LEELANAU COUNTY, MI -- A Leelanau County woman was injured Thursday in a raccoon attack that authorities are calling "very unusual behavior" for a wild animal.

A 61-year-old Suttons Bay Township woman was in her yard, in the 2500 block of South Pineview Road, when the raccoon ran toward her from a wooded area about 11 a.m., sheriff's deputies said in a release.

The woman kicked at the animal in an attempt to fend it off, but the raccoon managed to bite her right leg above the ankle.

Her husband came out of the home with a firearm and shot the raccoon after it came at him, too, deputies said.

An animal control deputy took the animal remains to a local veterinarian office to be tested for rabies, which is health department protocol.

This was very unusual behavior for a wild animal so all possible steps to protect the health of the victim will be taken.

The woman sought own medical treatment for the bite.

Angie Jackson covers public safety and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.